I scouted it out and after a short drive I was out on my first ever trail run. It was on the mountain bike trails in Smithville Lake Park, North of Kansas City. It was a gorgeous trail. It didn't take me long to ditch the iPod. It was clear I would need my ears open and my mind focused.
My legs were working but my brain was working even harder. The trail had my mind doing back flips when it usually zones out. I had to be aware to run around rocks, over roots, under trees, and through small streams. I heard some noises in the woods and I looked up for a biker. That's when I saw them. Big. Strong. Intimidating. They locked eyes with mine. He wasn't ready for anyone to come between him and his girl. He must have been a six pointer at least. Both deer, as if on cue, took off into the woods at the same time. They must have been about 30 yards away. It was an amazing feeling to be that close to nature.
As I continued running through the woods it reminded me of my childhood. Running through the woods with my older brother was a staple of my summers growing up. My brother and I haven't been close for nearly two decades. We really couldn't be anymore different. For some reason during that run, I couldn't help but think it would be nice to have him there. We have so few pleasant memories of each other. It would have been nice to share this experience, however simple it is, with my big brother.
Maybe I'll send him a text and see how he's doing.
